Don’t Let Familiarity Produce Complacency
In the Bible, the gospel writers often say that the people were astonished with Jesus. But how much does Jesus astonish us today?
Astonish means to be filled with sudden wonder or amazement. Does Jesus fill us with sudden wonder? When we think of Jesus, are we amazed at who he is and what he did?
Consider these passages:
Jesus as a Boy
When Joseph and Mary can’t find twelve-year-old Jesus, they search for three days. They eventually find him with the temple teachers, listening to what they have to say and asking questions.
It’s hard to imagine the esteemed teachers giving any time to a mere 12-year-old. Yet their interaction with Jesus—even as a preteen—was so unusual that they were more than willing to talk to him.
When Mary and Joseph see what their boy is doing, they are astonished with Jesus (Luke 2:48).
Jesus and a Large Catch of Fish
When Jesus begins his ministry, some eighteen years later, he comes upon some fisherman. He uses one of their boats for a pulpit. When he finishes speaking to the people, he asks Simon to push out from shore and let down their nets.
Simon objects. “We worked all night and didn’t catch a thing.” But Simon agrees to do what Jesus asked.
The nets miraculously fill with fish and are about to break. Simon signals for help from another boat. Soon, both boats are so full of fish that they begin to sink. Jesus has Simon’s attention. The fisherman are astonished with Jesus (Luke 5:9).
Jesus Heals a Man
People bring a demon possessed man to Jesus. He is both blind and mute. Jesus heals him. The man can now see and talk.
“Can he be the son of David?” the people ask. They are astonished with Jesus (Matthew 12:23).
Jesus Teaches about Salvation
A man approaches Jesus and asks what good thing he must do to earn eternal life. Jesus reminds him of the Ten Commandments.
The man has done them but realizes it’s not enough. “What else?” he asks.
Jesus tells him to sell everything, give it away, and follow him.
The man isn’t willing to do that.
Jesus says it’s hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God. The disciples are astounded with Jesus (Matthew 19:25).
Jesus Teaches the Crowd
One day the Sadducees try to trick Jesus. He evades their trap by quoting Scripture and explaining how they are in error. The crowd is astonished with Jesus (Matthew 22:33).
Jesus Goes to Jerusalem: As the teacher leads a crowd up to Jerusalem, many are afraid of what will happen there, but his disciples are again astonished with Jesus (Mark 10:32).
Jesus Raises the Dead
The synagogue leader, Jairus, comes to Jesus and pleads for Jesus to heal his dying daughter. It is his only daughter, and she’s twelve.
Jesus agrees and heads toward Jairus’s home. Along the way a woman approaches him for healing. By merely touching the edge of his cloak, she receives the healing she desires.
Yet the delay is costly for Jairus. His daughter dies.
Jesus tells Jairus to not be afraid and just believe. When Jesus arrives, he tells the people there who are already mourning her death that she’s not dead.
He takes the hand of the dead girl and tells her to get up. She does. Her parents are astonished with Jesus (Luke 8:56).
Jesus Avoids Treachery
The religious leaders send some men to trick Jesus into saying something inflammatory. It’s about paying taxes. Whatever he says, they’re sure they can use it against him.
Jesus avoids their ploy by giving them an answer that addresses their concern without saying anything incriminating. They are astonished with Jesus. They don’t know what else to say (Luke 20:26).
Astonished with Jesus
These eight stories all tell about people who were astonished by what Jesus said and did. Are we astonished today by what Jesus said and did?
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
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